Toilet tank flushing mechanism



July 2, 1963 c. J. CLARK 3,

TOILET TANK FLUSHING MECHANISM Filed March 5, 1962 \NVENTOR CHARLES J. CLARK ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office 3,095,577 TOILET TANK FLUSHING MECHANISM Charles J. Clark, 6237 W. Lincoln Creek Drive, Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Mar. 5, 1962, Ser. No. 177,314

Claims. (Cl. 4-19) This invention appertains to flush tanks for toilets and more particularly to a novel flushing mechanism associated with. such tanks.

It is customary to provide a flush tank with water standing therein, and means for releasing the water to flush the toilet. A float operated valve is provided for governing the flow of water into the tank. The standing of water in the tank is objectionable from many view points. The most serious objection is the sweating of the tank, i.e., the collecting of condensation on the tank and dripping thereof on the floor. Another objection is the noise caused by the leaking of Water between the flush valve and its seat.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to provide a novel and simple means for eliminating the standing of water in the flush tank and to supply such water to the tank and the closing of the flush valve only at the time of the operation of the flush tank, and thereafter automatically and immediately releasing such water to the toilet when the water reaches a predetermined level in the tank.

Another salient object of the invention is the provision of a trigger mechanism embodying a swinging frame carrying a float and operatively connected to the Water supply valve and flush valve with a biasing spring for normally holding the frame, float and flush valve in a raised position with the water inlet valve in a closed position, with means operated from the handle crank for lowering the frame and float to close the flush valve and to open the water inlet valve to permit the filling of the tank with water.

Another prime object of the invention is the provision of automatic means including the float, to raise the frame and open the flush valve and close the water inlet valve to permit the flushing of the toilet.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of means for associating the biasing spring with the frame in a certain manner so that the spring will function to complete the quick lowering of the frame when the frame is swung down by the handle crank, and to permit the quick raising of the frame, when the frame swings up (under influence of the float), beyond a certain point.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel connection between the float and frame so as to limit the swinging of the float and frame so as to limit the swinging of the float relative to the frame during the raising and lowering of the frame.

Another still further object of my invention is to provide an improved flushing mechanism for toilet tanks ing drawing, in which drawing,

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a flush tank with parts broken away and in section to illustrate my novel flushing mechanism, the mechanism being shown in a raised normal position with the flush valve open and in dotted lines showing the mechanism lowered and the for flushing a'toilet (not shown).

3,095,577 Patented July 2, 1963 flush valve in its closed position for receiving water into the tank;

FIGURE 2 is atop plan view of the flush tank with its cover removed dand showing my novel flushing mechanism, and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detail view with parts broken away and in section, illustrating the pivotal connection between the float and the swinging frame.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter T generally indicates a toilet flush tank and the letter M my novel flushing mechanism therefor.

The tank T can be considered of a type now in general use and the lower wall thereof receives a pipe 5 The pipe 5 extends into the tank and is provided at its upper end with an annular valve seat 6. Disposed at one side of the valve seat 6 and within the tank T is an overflow pipe 7. The flow of water from the tank T to the pipe 5 is controlled by a flush valve 8. The flush valve 8 forms no part of the present invention and has been shown to be of the type embodying a sleeve 9 for fitting around the overflow pipe 7. Connected with the sleeve 9 is the flexible valve body 10 and the same is normally held on the seat 6 by the inherent resiliency of the body. The outer end of the body is provided with a tab 11 to which mechanism is connected for flexing and raising the valve body.

Also extending into the tank T is the water supply pipe 12. The upper end of the pipe is provided with a head 13 carrying a valve 14 for controlling the flow of water from the supply pipe 12 to the tank T. The pipe 12, the head 13, and the valve 14 are of a type now commonly used, and as in the usual practice the valve 14 is raised off of its seat by a pivoted operating lever 15. Also in accordance with the usual practice, the lever 15 remote from its pivot point is connected through the medium of a link 16 to a rod 17 pivoted as at 18, to the head 13. This rod normally carries a float for controlling the opening and closing of the valve according to the water level.

In accordance with my present invention the float is removed from this rod 17 and my mechanism M is substituted therefor and for other purposes.

Now referring more particularly to my invention the flush mechanism M includes a swinging frame 19 formed from a bent rod or heavy gauge wire. The frame 19 includes a U-shaped body 20 and this body constitutes spaced parallel arms 21 and 22 and a connecting bight portion 23. The body 20 is rockably mounted at its bight portion 23 on a clamp 24. This clamp 24 is secured on the overflow pipe 7, and obviously, the clamp can be set to any selected height on the pipe and at any selected angle on the pipe. The arm 22 of the body portion has formed thereon a rearwardly extending leg 25. The leg 25 is connected through the medium of a flexible chain or the like 26 to an operating crank 27. This crank is connected to the shaft of :an operating handle 28. The handle is located exteriorly of the tank and is operated in the usual fashion by the user of the toilet.

The other arm 21 is operatively connected to the rod 17 for actuating the water inlet valve '14. As shown, the arm 21 has formed thereon .a stud '29 in which an eye 30 is threaded, and the eye 30* slidably receives the rod 17. Also connected to the frame 19 adjacent to the leg 25 is a depending pull cord or chain 31. The lower end of the chain is connected to the tab 11 of the flush valve 8.

Arranged adjacent to the top of the tank is a c011- tractile coil spring 32 and one end of the spring is connected to the frame 19 adjacent to the leg 25. The opposite end of the spring is connected to an end wall of the tank T by means of a bracket 33. The bracket 33 is in the form of a hook so that the same can be placed over the top of an end wall of the tank. It is preferred to have the connection between the spring 32 and bracket 33 in such a way that the spring can be adjusted up and down to suit various conditions, and this can be brought about by bending the bracket to make the hooking eye or the bracket can be provided with a series of eyes for receiving the outer end of the spring. This spring normally functions to hold the frame in a raised position, as shown in FIGURE 1 and other functions of the spring will be later set forth.

Connected with the leg 21 of the frame 19 is a float 34. The float can be rigidly united with the arm 21, but it is preferred to pivotally connect the float with the arm in such a manner as to limit the swinging of the float relative to the frame. Thus, the float can carry a rod 35 terminating at its inner end in a T-shaped head 36. The head at its upper and lower edges is provided with limit pins or lugs 37. The rod 21 is pivotally connected to the float rod 35 by a pivot pin or the like 38. This connection is best shown in FIGURE 3.

Now considering that the flushing mechanism is in the position shown in full lines in FIGURE 1, with the frame '19 and float 34 in its raised position, the water inlet valve 14 is closed and the flush valve 8 is in a raised open position and no water is in the tank T.

When it is desired to flush the toilet, the hand crank 28 is operated in the usual way and the crank lever 27 will be raised pulling up on the bent end of the leg 25, causing the lowering of the frame 19 and float 34. When the frame swings down below its pivot point the spring 32 will function to pull the frame quickly down to its complete lowered position and the flush valve will seat on the upper end of the flush pipe 5, sealing the tank T. As the frame 19 lowers, this motion is transmitted to the rod 17 and the rod 17 will cause the raising of the water inlet valve 14 and water will immediately flow into the tank T and be momentarily retained therein. As the water level raises in the tank T the float 34 will rise upwardly, carrying the frame 19 therewith, and when a certain level is reached and when the frame swings beyond its pivot point, the spring 32 will exert a pull on the frame to quickly raise the frame and the float. This will pull up on the flush valve and allow the water to drain from the tank T to flush the toilet. When the frame reaches its complete raised position, the valve 14 will be lowered on its seat and further entrance of the water into the tank will be prevented.

The tank is immediately ready for another flushing operation.

To limit the swinging movement of the float 34 and to conserve space, the float as previously described is pivotally connected to the leg. Hence, when the frame is lowered the float 34 will drop down until the lower pin or lug 37 hits the arm 21. With the raising of the float 4- with the water level, the float will swing a limited distance before the other lug or limit pin 37 hits the arm 21.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. In a flushing mechanism for toilets, a flush tank, an outlet pipe for water extending into the tank having a valve seat on its upper end, an overflow pipe disposed in the tank and communicating with the pipe, an inlet pipe for water extending into the tank, valve means for controlling the flow of water from the inlet pipe into the tank, a normally open flush valve carried by the overflow pipe for the valve seat of the inlet pipe, a frame rockably mounted on the overflow pipe above the flush valve, a float carried by the frame for rocking the frame to a raised position when water is flowing into the tank, spring means normally holding the frame and float in a raised position, means operatively connecting the frame with the water inlet valve and normally holding the valve closed with the frame in a raised position, means operatively connecting the frame with the flush valve and for holding the flush valve in a raised position off of its seat with the frame in a raised position, and manual means for rocking the frame and float to a lowered position with the water inlet valve in an open position and the flush valve in a lowered closed position, the float functioning to raise the frame upon the raising of water in the tank to open the flushing valve and close the water inlet valve.

2. In a flushing mechanism for toilets as defined in claim 1, and said spring means including a contractile coil spring having its opposite ends connected respectively to the tank and to the frame, beyond the pivot point of the frame, and said spring functioning to aid in the lowering and raising of the frame when the spring is above or below the pivot point of the frame.

3. In a flushing mechanism for toilets as defined in claim 2, and said frame being of a U-shape in plan and including spaced parallel legs and a connecting bight portion and said bight portion forming the rocking point of the frame, and said means for operatively connecting the frame to the inlet valve including an operating rod for the valve and a s lidable connection between one arm of the frame and said rod.

4. In a flushing mechanism for toilet as defined in claim 3, and said manual means for rocking the frame including a hand operated crank and a rearwardly extending arm formed on the other leg of the frame and a flexible chain connecting said arm and said crank.

5. In a flushing mechanism for toilets as defined in claim 2, and said float being pivotally connected to said frame and means for limiting the movement of the float relative to the frame.

Norbork Jan. 12, 1926 Ribeiro Apr. 25, 1949 

1. IN A FLUSHING MECHANISM FOR TOILETS, A FLUSH TANK, AN OUTLET PIPE FOR WATER EXTENDING INTO THE TANK HAVING A VALVE SEAT ON ITS UPPER END, AN OVERFLOW PIPE DISPOSED IN THE TANK AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE PIPE, AN INLET PIPE FOR WATER EXTENDING INTO THE TANK, VALVE MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF WATER FROM THE INLET PIPE INTO THE TANK, A NORMALLY OPEN FLUSH VALVE CARRIED BY THE OVERFLOW PIPE FOR THE VALVE SEAT OF THE INLET PIPE, A FRAME ROCKABLY MOUNTED ON THE OVERFLOW PIPE ABOVE THE FLUSH VALVE, A FLOAT CARRIED BY THE FRAME FOR ROCKING THE FRAME TO A RAISED POSITION WHEN WATER IS FLOWING INTO THE TANK, SPRING MEANS NORMALLY HOLDING THE FRAME AND FLOAT IN A RAISED POSITION, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE FRAME WITH THE WATER INLET VALVE AND NORMALLY HOLDINGS THE VALVE CLOSED WITH THE FRAME IN A RAISED POSITION, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE FRAME WITH THE FLUSH VALVE AND FOR HOLDING THE FLUSH VALVE IN A RAISED POSITION OFF OF ITS SEAT WITH THE FRAME IN A RAISED POSITION, AND MANUAL MEANS FOR ROCKING THE FRAME AND FLOAT TO A LOWERED POSITION WITH THE WATER INLET VALVE IN AN OPEN POSITION AND THE FLUSH VALVE IN A LOWERED CLOSED POSITION, THE FLOAT FUNCTIONING TO RAISE THE FRAME UPON THE RAISING OF WATER IN THE TANK TO OPEN THE FLUSHING VALVE AND CLOSE THE WATER INLET VALVE. 